Cigarette lighter



Dec. 5, 1967 H, v. KRAUTWURST ETAL 3,356,826

CIGARETTE LIGHTER 5 sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1965 ATTORNEY DCC 5, 1957 H. v. KRAUTWURST ETAL 3,356,826

CGAHETTE LIGHTER Filed May l2, 1965 5 SheeS-Sheet UzggaT/ j@ Jfga@ ATTORNEY Dec- 5, 1967 H. v. KRAUTWURST ETAL 3,356,826

(,IGRETTE LIGHTER Filed May l2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O 3,356,826 CIGARETTE LIGHTER Homer Vincent Krautwurst, Rochester, and Duane R. Crumb, Webster, N.Y., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 12, 1965, Ser. No. 455,104 3 Claims. (Cl. 219--267) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The heating element of a lighter is normally recessed Within the plug member and protected by a finger operable cover. The heating element projects through a lateral access opening when the cover is retracted for energization or use.

The heating element of a ligher is normally recessed within the plug member and protected by a nger operable closed within the plug by a cover which prevents or substantially reduces the possibility of the user accidentally burning his person or clothing, etc., in the event the plug is dropped after being energized and withdrawn from the socket member. Also, in its preferred form, the heating element is arranged for access through a side opening in the plug member instead of endwise thereof as in the more conventional lighter, thereby facilitating the handling of the plug member and its application to the cigar or cigarette to be lit.

The invention also embodies such a lighter in which the heating element is projectable through the side access opening in the plug member to further facilitate its use in the lighting of cigars.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, having reference to the drawings, wherein: Y

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of plug and socket members showing the parts in their respective positions during energization of the heating element.

FIGURE 2 is a top elevational View of the lighter arrangement shown in FIGURE 1, with parts broken away and shown in section, and wherein the plug member is in its partially retracted position within the socket member after energization of the heating element has been completed.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the plug member, shown removed from its socket.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the plug and socket members embodying this invention.

FIGURE 5a is a detail plan view taken in the direction of the arrows Sa-Sa in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the modified lighter arrangement, as viewed from the left end of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 -is a view of the plug member of the modified lighter arrangement, shown removed from its socket member, with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken Substantially on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and rst to FIG- URES 1 4, the lighter arrangement comprises a metal socket member 1 suitably secured in a mounting panel 2 provided with an aperture 3 therefor trimmed with a bezel 4. Shown recessed within the socket member is an electrical supply contact 5 supported by a conductive strap 6 extending from a terminal 7 which is adapted to be con- Patented Dec. 5, 1967 nected, for example, to a battery (not shown) or other source of electricity.

A removable plug member is designated generally by the numeral 8 and comprises an external housing 9 of sheet metal surrounding an inner body 10 of plastic or other insulating material. A conventional heating element 11 in the form of a spirally wound coil of metal is suitably supported yin the body opposite a side opening 12 in the housing 9. A cover 13 is slidably mounted within the housing between the upper wall 14 thereof and the insulating body 10, and this cover is movable from its retracted position shown in FIGURE 1 to its closed position shown in FIG- URE 3, covering the opening 12. A compression spring 15, Within a recess 16 in the body 10, serves to bias the cover 13 toward closed position, the spring being interposed between an end wall 17 of the recess and a pin 18. This pin is suitably secured to the cover, and extends outwardly therethrough and through a guide slot 19 in the upper wall 14 of the housing. A projection in the form of a button 20 is provided on the outer end of this pin for finger actuation of the cover when the plug member is removed from the socket. This button 20 also coacts with the bezel 4 den-ing the outer end of the socket member in effecting retraction of the cover to its open position during insertion of the plug member into the socket.

The heating element has its outermost convolution electrically connected to a metal cup 21 which, in turn, is electrically connected by a metal strap 22 to a second con- -tact 23 fixed in the innermost end of the body 10. This end of the plug is apertured as shown at 24 to enable abutting engagement of the contacts 5 and 23 when the plug member is fully inserted into the socket. An ejector member 25 for the plug is slidably mounted within the socket member and is normally biased outwardly thereof by an ejector spring 26. A latch member 27 of bimetallic or other thermally responsive material is suitably secured to the socket member and normally projects into abutting engagement with the ejector member to retain it in its retracted position shown in FIGURE l wherein abutment occurs between contacts 5 and 23. The innermost convolution of the heating element is grounded through a metal mounting screw 2S which secures the cup 21 and its insulating washers 29, 30 and 31 to a metal support 32 within the plug member. As shown, this support 32 is seated against the bottom Wall 33 of the housing 9 which, in turn, completes the electrical ground to the socket member 1 when the plug is inserted therein.

The bottom wall 33 of the housing is preferably provided with an aperture 34, into which a detent 35 in the form of a lanced-out tang in the bottom wall of the socket member may project to form a releasable stop for the lplug member under the ejection force of the spring 26 when the latch 27 disengages the ejector 25.

In operation, upon insertion of the plug member into the socket suciently to latchably engage the ejector member 25 with the thermally responsive member 27, the heating element is electrically energized through the terminal 7, strap 6, contacts 5 and 23, strap 22, cup 21, element 11, screw 28, support 32, housing wall 33- and socket member 1. In effecting such insertion of the plug member the button 20 is withheld by the bezel 4, causing the pin 18 to retract in its slot 19 and withdraw the cover 13 from the opening 12 against the force of the spring 15. After suiicient current has passed through the heating element to rai-se its temperature suiliciently for use in lighting a cigar or cigarette, the latch member 27 will have responded thermally by absorption of heat from the element 11 passing through the opening 12 to deliect out of latching engagement with the ejector member 25. The ejector spring 26 thereupon is rendered free to displace the ejector member and plug 8 a sullicient distance to the position shown in FIGURE 2, breaking the electrical connection between contacts 5 and 23. The plug member may then be withdrawn from the socket for use. However, during such withdrawal the cover 13 is returned by spring to its closed position between the opening 12 and the heating element, thereby rendering the plug member (FIGURE 3) relatively safe against accidental burning of the users person or clothing in the event it is dropped, etc. After suchwithdrawal of the plug member fromthe socket, the user need only again retract the button to a right-hand end of the slot 19, exposing the heating element for application to the cigar or cigarette to be lit. Thereafter, upon release of the button 201, the cover recloses the opening 12 preparatory to reinserting the plug member in the socket.

The embodiment shown in FIGURES 5-9 is generally similar to that previously described, but differs principally in that the heating element is movably mounted in the plug member to enable its projection through the access opening and thereby facilitate application ofthe heating element to the cigar or cigarette to be lit. For this purpose, the support 32 for the heating element is mounted on springs 40 which bias it upwardlyinthe plug member, the side walls 41 of the housing 9 of the latter serving as guide means therefor. Other guide means accommodating such movement are provided by the surfaces 42 of the plug insulating plug 10. The cover 13 differs essentially from the previously describedconstruction only in that its sides 13a and 13b (FIGURE 9) are each provided with a cam surface 43 (FIGURE 8) which is engageable with the support 32 during closing movements ofthe cover to depressthe support (and heating element) downwardly within the plug member.

Also, instead of the previouslyl describedarrangement for eifecting electrical connection wit-hthe supply contact within the socket, such connection is carried out exteriorly thereof. For this, an insulated supply contact 5 is Xedto the socket member anda normally open switch is provided, including a movabley part or plunger 44 and a stationary contactv 23'. The contact 23 is electrically connected' by a strap 22 against which the cup 21 of the heating element abuts when in its projectedv position shown in FIGURE 5, and the metal plunger 44 is slidably mounted inthe supply contact 5 and has an enlarged head portion 46 at its end opposite the stationary contact 23'. Latch means in the form of spring fingers 27 ofV bimetallic or other thermally responsive conductive material are secured to the stationary contact 23', and these serve to releasably secure the plunger enlargement in switchclosed position for completing thev current supply to the heating element; A spring strap 6c is also provided to slidably engage the plunger enlargement in switch-closed position and assure good electrical conductivity between it and the supply contact 5.

Mounted on the socket member is a rocker 47, pivoted at 48. Opposite arms 49 and 50 of this rocker are arranged to engage the plunger 44 and the inner end of the plug member, such that when the latter is fully inserted into the socket member the rocker shifts the plunger into latching electrical engagement with the ngers 27 of stationary contact 23. A spring 51 is arranged on the plunger 44 to retract it and the rocker from their solid line positions to their' broken line positions shown in FIGURE 5 when the plug member is withdrawn from the socket, The spring 51 and the cover closing spring 15 serve cooperatively' in electing withdrawal of the plug. member when the thermostatic latch 27 releases the enlargement 46. As in the previously described embodiment, an aperture 34 is provided in the bottom wall 33 of the plug housing, into which a lanced-out tank 35 in the socket member projects to effect a detent action in releasably limiting ejection of the plug member when the fingers 27 `release the plunger enlargement 46. A second tang. 52 effects a similar detent action to -augment the holding power of the latch lingers 27' in retaining the plu g member fully insertedin the socket during'energiza- 4 tion of the heatingV element. Grounding of the heating element occurs through the screw 28 to the support 32 and thence to plug housing at the side walls 41, and nally to socket member.

The operation of this modified form of lighter is similar to that of FIGURES 1-4, differing essentially only in that the heating element pops-up, both to close the energizing circuit whenthe plug member is fully inserted in the socket, and to facilitate access thereto for lighting a cigar or cigarette after energization and removal of the plug member from the socket. The slidable'cover 13', in addition to its function of normally closing the opening 12 when the plug member is out of the socket, serves as the means for camming the heating element cup inwardly of the plug member to permit such closure.

While the invention has been described'and illustrated in a specic form, it will be appreciated that various changes in the parts and their arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. An electric cigarette lighter energizable in a stationary socket member having a current supply contact mounted thereon, said lighter comprising a removable plug member adapted for insertion into said -socket member, saidplug member having a laterally facing heating element electrically connectable to said supply contact upon insertion of the plug member into said socket member, means forming a lateral opening providing access to said element for engagement with a cigarette, a support laterally movable with respect to the plug member and carrying said element, guide means for said support accommodating movement of said element through said opening, spring means biasing said support in the direction to position said element outwardly of said opening, a longitudinally retractable cover for said opening movable between open and closed positions, said cover having a cam surface engageable with said support to move said support in the opposite direction against the force of said spring means upon movement of the cover to-said closed position, and means for operating said cover including a cover spring biasing said cover to its closed position and a finger actuable projection on said cover for manually moving. said cover to said open position against the force of said cover spring.

2. The lighter of claim 1 wherein -said projection on said cover is operably engageable with said socket member for moving said cover to said open position against the force of said cover spring when the plug member is inserted in said socket member.

3. An electric cigarette lighter comprising a stationary socket member, a current supply contact located adjacent said socket member, a normally `open switch including amovable part electrically connected to said supply contact and a stationary part normally electrically disconnected from said movable part, a rocker pivoted to said socket member and operative to move said movable part into electrical connection with said stationary part and thereby close said switch, latch means normally operative to retain said movable part electrically connected to said stationary part but thermally responsive to release said movable part', means biasing said movable part out of engagementwith said stationary part when released by said latch means, and a removable plug member adapted for insertion into said socket member, said plug member having a laterally facing heating element, means forming a lateral opening providing access to said element for engagernent with a cigarette', a support laterally movable with respect to the plug member and carrying saidl element, guide means for said support accommodating movement of saidelement through said opening, spring means biasing said support in the direction to position said element outwardly of said opening, a longitudinally retractable cover for said opening movable between open and closed positions, said-cover having a cam surface engageable with said support to move said support in the opposite direction against the force of said spring means upon movement of the cover to said closed position, means for operating said cover including a cover spring biasing said cover to its closed position and a linger actuable projection on said cover for manually moving said cover to open position against the force of said cover spring, and means for operating said rocker upon insertion of the plug member into said socket member to thereupon close said switch, said finger actuable projection being operably engageable with said socket member upon insertion of the plug member into said socket member for shifting said cover to open position whereby said heating element may engage said stationary part of said switch for energizing said heating element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Morris 219-266 Lehman 219-265 X Gray 219-261 Boyarsky et al 219-268 Burtman 219-268 X Jorgensen 219-267 Behrendt 219-266 X RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner.

VOLODYMYR Y. MAYEWSKY, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,356,826 December 5, 1967 Homer Vincent Krautwurst et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the Said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l, lines Z0 and 2l, for "The heating element of a ligher is normally recessed within the plug member and protected by a finger operable" read The lighter of the instant invention is particularly advantageous in that the heating element is normally en- Signed and sealed this 18th day of February 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. AN ELECTRIC CIGARETTE LIGHTER ENERGIZABLE IN A STATIONARY SOCKET MEMBER HAVING A CURRENT SUPPLY CONTACT MOUNTED THEREON, SAID LIGHTER COMPRISING A REMOVABLE PLUG MEMBER ADAPTED FOR INSERTION INTO SAID SOCKET MEMBER, SAID PLUG MEMBER HAVING A LATERALLY FACING HEATING ELEMENT ELECTRICALLY CONNECTABLE TO SAID SUPPLY CONTACT UPON INSERTION OF THE PLUG MEMBER INTO SAID SOCKET MEMBER, MEANS FORMING A LATERAL OPENING PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAID ELEMENT FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A CIGARETTE, A SUPPORT LATERALLY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE PLUG MEMBER AND CARRYING SAID ELEMENT, GUIDE MEANS FOR SAID SUPPORT ACCOMMODATING MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT THROUGH SAID ACCOMMOSPRING MEANS BIASING SAID SUPPORT IN THE DIRECTION TO POSITION SAID ELEMENT OUTWARDLY OF SAID OPENING, A LONGITUDINALLY RETRACTABLE COVER FOR SAID OPENING MOVABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, SAID COVER HAVING A CAM SURFACE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SUPPORT TO MOVE SAID SUPPORT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AGAINST THE FORCE OF SAID SPRING MEANS UPON MOVEMENT OF THE COVER TO SAID CLOSED POSITION, AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID COVER TO SAID CLOSED POSISPRING BIASING SAID COVER TO ITS CLOSED POSITION AND A FINGER ACTUABLE PROJECTION ON SAID COVER FOR MANUALLY MOVING SAID COVER TO SAID OPEN POSITION AGAINST THE FORCE OF SAID COVER SPRING. 